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What are the Most Common Workplace Issues?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Isolating the most common workplace issues depends at least to a certain extent on the type of business and overall office environment, but in general problem areas fall into four broad categories: communication, harassment and bullying, gossip, and overall morale. How these play out and the effects they have tend to vary from one place to the next. Still, managers and executives in most settings usually have the best shot at eliminating or at least reducing these by paying regular attention to what’s going on at all levels of the corporation, and looking for ways of solving problems when they first arise. Creating a strong office culture can eliminate or at least minimize many issues from the start. Employees also have a role to play, though. They can improve their environments by focusing on the tasks at hand, looking for the positives, and trying to avoid resentment and constant comparisons.

Communication

One of the most common issues in the workplace is gossip.
One of the most common issues in the workplace is gossip.

Communication between management and staff is very often one of the biggest causes of workplace issues. If management is not open to listening or implementing solutions that would make life easier or more efficient for workers, it can be perceived as cold-hearted or uncaring. This, in turn, can cause it to lose the respect of the employees. Resentment and bitterness often follow.

Communication between management and staff can become an issue in the workplace.
Communication between management and staff can become an issue in the workplace.

If, on the other hand, workers do not give a manager an honest chance to lead the team and refuse to follow suggestions, the manager may also become resentful and angry. In a workplace setting, it is vital that everyone feels that they can be safely and fairly heard. Sometimes this can be done in team meetings; open-door policies and transparency between executives and laborers is also usually a step in the right direction.

Harassment and Bullying

Bullying in the workplace can be an issue.
Bullying in the workplace can be an issue.

One of the most dangerous problems in the workplace is office bullying, which often goes hand-in-hand with harassment. The main difference is usually the power dynamics between the primary players. Bullying happens most often between employees of equal stature, whereas harassment is usually defined by one person exerting his or her control or authority over someone in a weaker or subservient position. The consequences of each are harmful, both to individuals and corporate teams.

Spending too much time responding to personal text messages is a growing workplace issue.
Spending too much time responding to personal text messages is a growing workplace issue.

Bullying and harassment happen most often when workers feel pressured by one or more colleagues, bosses, or co-workers into behaving in certain ways. Sometimes the pressure revolves around reporting problems or taking part in illicit activities and sexual relationships, but it can also be as simple as a group or individual ganging up on one or more others in order to make them feel “outside.” People who are bullied in the office often find that they shoulder more than their fair share of the work while others take credit for their efforts.

Cliques can sometimes occur in the workplace, making other employees feel ostracized and decreasing their workplace satisfaction.
Cliques can sometimes occur in the workplace, making other employees feel ostracized and decreasing their workplace satisfaction.

These behaviors may also have the added angle of threatened job security, which basically means that the person being victimized feels that, if he or she does not “play along,” his or her career is at stake. Although workers may be afraid to speak up in these situations, it is important for the safety of everyone that bullying and harassment be immediately reported and handled at once. If management is not listening or takes part in bullying, employees should speak to human resources staff or individuals in upper management in order to ensure that the work environment remains a safe and judgment-free place for everyone.

Gossip

In a workplace setting, it's essential that employees feel that grievances can be discussed without fear of retribution.
In a workplace setting, it's essential that employees feel that grievances can be discussed without fear of retribution.

Gossip in the workplace is another very common issue that can damage relationships and diminish productivity of people, teams, and even entire divisions. It's understandable on some level for people be interested in their co-workers' lives; with many workweeks stretching beyond 40 hours, workers may see their colleagues more than just about anyone else. When gossip rages about sensitive issues, such as a co-worker's failing marriage or a possible workplace romance, however, it can become destructive and can create a great deal of negativity.

Employees who nap instead of work is an issue for some employers.
Employees who nap instead of work is an issue for some employers.

Experts in office dynamics usually say that the happiest workplaces are those in which employees keep overheard conversations or confidential admissions of other workers private and stay out of conversations where others are gossiping. If necessary, individuals can remind co-workers that none of them would probably enjoy being the subject of gossip. Managers can also work to keep personal matters off the table when it comes time to making decisions for projects, assignments, and promotions, and can look for ways of encouraging constructive and positive chatter amongst employees.

Motivation and Morale Issues

Another core issue arises when workers at any level begin to grow dissatisfied with their work. This can happen for a number of reasons. Some are more or less universal, for instance a company deciding to shift the work of departing employees onto those who remain rather than hiring replacements; it can also be personal and individual, though, such as the manager who simply doesn’t get along with key members of her team, or a boss who is disrespected and widely perceived to be unfair.

Whatever their root, morale issues can lead to low productivity and performance issues, which in many cases will impact a company’s bottom line. Solving this problem often starts at the hiring phase, and companies with the best teams often have strong policies in place to hire not just the best candidates on paper, but rather the individuals who will work best, personality-wise, with people already on the team. Looking for ways to balance work and outside life can also help improve morale, and employees who look for ways to make the best out of their situations are often the happiest both when it comes to job satisfaction and individual career development.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a SmartCapitalMind writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a SmartCapitalMind writer.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

wavy58

@DylanB – My coworkers are bad about excluding people who have been there for years on the basis of how they look or act. We have one lady working with us who is obese, and many of my coworkers have treated her badly and shunned her.

Any time that people meet in groups and start whispering, you know they are up to no good. If everyone in the office could hear what they were saying, feelings would be hurt and possible fights might break out.

I think it's terrible when adults behave this way. I would expect this from teenagers, but it seems that people should grow out of this behavior over the years.

DylanB

It takes a long time for my coworkers to accept a new person. They tend to gather in corners and whisper about the new hire for weeks before finally starting to include them in things.

I hate this, because I know how it feels to be on the outside. I always go out of my way to make the new person feel welcome.

Kristee

All of my workplace issues and problems were related to being overloaded. I always thought that being the dependable and efficient one would be a good thing, but instead, it meant that everyone would bring more work to me, since they thought I could handle it.

No one ever stopped to notice the pile of work that was already on my desk. I hated to turn anyone away, but I had finally had enough. I talked to my supervisor and said that I needed the other designer to share my workload.

He told me flat out that the other guy just didn't provide the same quality of work in a timely manner. He said he would give him some smaller stuff to work on, but I would always be the one he came to with big projects.

I finally wound up leaving the job. The stress of having deadlines on several big projects at once was too much, and I felt I had been treated unfairly.

feasting

I was the only woman in my workplace, and I had to listen to a bunch of guys talking vulgarly about women all day. They didn't respect the fact that I didn't want to hear it, and since the boss was in on it, I couldn't complain to him about it. I finally just got some headphones to drown them out and kept to myself all day.

mutsy

Cupcake15-There are workplace issues that also involve hiring and firing an employee, and training.

Problems regarding training issues in the workplace don't allow the employees to do their job to the best of their ability. Traning programs vary.

Training can be in the form of computer-based modules or ongoing seminars in the workplace.

The American Society of Training and Development provides guidance regarding training problems and offers various training solutions to solve common employment and workplace issues.

cupcake15

SauteePan- I agree that there should be a workplace policy against gossip,but there are many other personnel issues in the workplace.

Excessive tardiness is another workplace issue that disrupts the working environment.

When people have to wait on others to start a meeting is really disruptive to the working environment. This also leads to lower productivity because the employee is not working a full day.

SauteePan

I agree that gossip can be detrimental to the workplace. This single issue can destroy employee morale and productivity.

Rather than focusing on the work at hand, employees are instead discussing personal issues that have nothing to do with their work.

It is best to have a no-gossip policy in order to have a truly respectful working environment. When employees are respected, they are usually more productive.

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    • One of the most common issues in the workplace is gossip.
      By: Tyler Olson
      One of the most common issues in the workplace is gossip.
    • Communication between management and staff can become an issue in the workplace.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Communication between management and staff can become an issue in the workplace.
    • Bullying in the workplace can be an issue.
      By: StudioLaMagica
      Bullying in the workplace can be an issue.
    • Spending too much time responding to personal text messages is a growing workplace issue.
      By: Maksim Kostenko
      Spending too much time responding to personal text messages is a growing workplace issue.
    • Cliques can sometimes occur in the workplace, making other employees feel ostracized and decreasing their workplace satisfaction.
      By: lightwavemedia
      Cliques can sometimes occur in the workplace, making other employees feel ostracized and decreasing their workplace satisfaction.
    • In a workplace setting, it's essential that employees feel that grievances can be discussed without fear of retribution.
      By: redav
      In a workplace setting, it's essential that employees feel that grievances can be discussed without fear of retribution.
    • Employees who nap instead of work is an issue for some employers.
      By: DenisNata
      Employees who nap instead of work is an issue for some employers.